| description abstract | Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), widely used in many commercial and military products, have been notorious due to their environmental persistence. Even radical-based advanced oxidation technologies have been reported to be less effective for decomposition of PFAS, particularly perfluoroalkyl ones, while commonly requiring energy-intensive extreme conditions and tools such as ultraviolet, ultrasound, microwave, electron beam, and high temperatures. Herein, for the first time, the potential of a modified Fenton system, i.e., homogeneous persulfate (PS) conjugated with silver (Ag+), to decompose PFAS under ambient conditions is communicated. Among many combinations of common oxidants and transition metals tested, only the PS/Ag pair showed significant reactivity at 20°C exclusively toward carboxylic PFAS including perfluorooctanoic acid, resulting in evolution of fluoride ion release and reaction by-product formation. Although sulfonic PFAS still remain challenging, and follow-up assignments are raised to investigate in-depth mechanisms and examine other oxidant and metal pairs, this study offers one step closer to establishing an energy-independent and more practical treatment system for PFAS. | |
